TGS Life 09/04/2016

PUNE, APRIL 9, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

WHO’S YOUR MOMMY? Dads take a backseat. These pretty mommas are taking centre stage, sometimes even looking younger than their daughters. They’ve worked hard to possess a flawless body and they aren’t in the mood to shy away from the limelight. Go mums!

TGS LIFE

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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ake Gyllenhaal has never shied away from taking up a more challenging role. When he was given the script for his latest film Demolition, he knew that this was something he had to tackle. In the film, he plays Davis Mitchell, who has a successful career and a perfect life, but his world changes when his wife is killed in a car accident.

Friends and family gather to console him, but he feels no grief, rather he feels nothing. His only means of coping is by taking his life apart piece by piece –by demolishing everything in it. “It’s really a story about a guy who starts off in a conventional way and ends up with an unconventional journey. He feels what he feels and ultimately is oblivious to how society tells him to feel. That was uncomfortable as an actor. It’s not what you’ve been told grief is supposed to be,” says Jake.

The actor is known to be someone who goes through incredible physical transformations in order to perfect his onscreen roles. For Southpaw, he trained with a boxing professional for eight months and did up to 2,000 crunches a day. In Nightcrawler, he worked hard on his physique and ran 15 miles a day.

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Jake is in demolition mode

But in this film, the biggest challenge for him was to play a complex character.

“A role like this was about bottling up a lot of feelings as opposed to expressing them. That was the hardest for me. I had to bring out feelings I wasn’t quite familiar with. A lot of days, I was lost trying to figure out what I feel,” Jake adds.

Not only did he get to take out all of his aggression and stress literally demolishing a house but the director Jean-Marc Vallee also asked him to dance in the middle of the streets in New York during the busiest times of the day. “I think that is what scared me the most about making this film. I am not a great dancer and to let loose like that in front of the camera with all of these strangers watching me was terrifying. But Jean-Marc just told me to go for it and I did,” he says.

But what Jake most looked forward to was the scene where he demolishes a house. “Vallee built half of a house and he gave us the tools to basically destroy the house ourselves. He kicked off the demolition work to relieve his own stress. It was so much fun. Everybody became a 12-year-old version of themselves. It was literally every boy’s dream,” he says. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

In the world of VFX Prasad Sutar won the Best Visual Effects Award at the recently held Asian Film Awards. He walks us through his journey in the industry and gives us an insight into what went into making the film

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hink of VFX and what hits your mind first are spaceships and giant robots but they are already old news. Bollywood special effects now comprises of reshaping the performance, going into the past and even recasting a role after the movie is shot. One such visually appealing film Bajirao Mastani did magic at the box office and won several awards.

Prasad Sutar, the VFX artist and the man behind the all the visual effects in the film, recently won the Asian Film Award and Zee Cine Awards 2016.

Delivering over 1,800 VFX shots for Bajirao Mastani, Prasad supervised the entire visual effects production. “It’s an absolute honour to get nominated in the Best Visual effects category along with the other Asian films which are technically stronger than Indian films.

The satisfaction of being rewarded for the efforts one has put over a span of two years is unbelievable,” says Prasad.

Almost all the frames of the film had a VFX component and each

sequence demanded an essence of history, romance and culture. So, right from background creations, designing the rich palace, the battle scenes, crowd multiplication, costumes to several other components like horses and weapons were visually created to suit the era of history. “Most of the VFX work is generally completed during post-production, but in Bajirao Mastani we had carefully planned and designed the VFX at a very early stage.

It took around two to three months for all this,” he says.

Prasad got his first experience of the technology around 18 years ago with India’s first science fiction TV series Captain Vyom, where he worked as an animator. His journey in the film industry started with the Aamir Khan starrer Ghulam. “I always wanted pursue my career in a creative field and fortunately I managed to take up a small DTP course, which eventually became my stepping stone in the field of VFX. Later, I was introduced to

VFX for feature films and then there was no looking back,” he adds.

For him, the most satisfying and rewarding thing about this profession is watching the final output on screen as the way it was visualised. The veteran VFX supervisor is known for his visual effects work in over 100 films including Barfi!, Ram-Leela and Dilwale. “Bajirao Mastani was way different and challenging from all the films I have done earlier. It pushed us to the limits in terms of thinking of extremely creative ideas and keeping the visual quality nothing less than spectacular to match Bhansali sir’s vision was the biggest challenge,” says Prasad.

With around 150 feature films, a few awards, and working with some of the best talent in the country, the quest for that one complicated shot which gives sleepless nights, still continues for him. He is currently working on Anurag Basu’s Jagga Jasus and Aamir Khan Production’s Dangal.

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A stew of co-incidences End your Saturday on a high note with the super hilarious play Women Women Everywhere by Mumbai-based theatre group Centre Stage

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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A few members from the cast of Women Women Everywhere

ne man and his three wives – this is the story of Ruzbeh Dalal. Lying at his work place about having a family to reap the benefits that the company offered, he invites trouble for himself. Where once he was in line to be promoted to the post of the CEO of the company, his employer wanted to meet his wife and child and this is when the chaos began. From the minute the first artist sets foot on stage until the curtains are drawn, Women, Women Everywhere is bound to keep you grinning.

The character of Ruzbeh is played by Arzan Mehta in this all-out comedy. He lands up with three wives and three children and it is confusion is at its best.

In the midst of this mess, the man’s neighbour, who is a woman, yet shares the exact same name adding to the fun and laughter as their letters and guests get exchanged. Performed by the theatre group Centre Stage from Mumbai, with a few artists from Pune too, the play has been directed by Roshan Tirandaz who has been active in the theatre industry for the past 25 years. Originally staged in Gujarati in Mumbai, the play has been translated by Roshan into English for the Pune audience.

Rehearsing for the play was a crazy affair, says Roshan. The actors would often burst into laughter in between their dialogues. Being the director, she would however sometimes become extremely serious and find

TGS LIFE

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT

a corner in the rehearsal hall to contemplate if there was a way she could change something in the play to make it better. “While we might be finding the script funny, it is not necessary that the audience would too. So sitting back and looking at it from a third person’s perspective is very important. It helps you relate to the audience better,” Roshan says. Comedy is not only her favourite genre but also her forte.

The medium of theatre is her favourite simply because it allows for every action to have a reaction.

Not only does it give you space for experimentation and improvisation but needs you to always be alert and on your toes, she tells us. Unlike films or the television, a play does not have re-takes and this spontaneity is what she loves when it comes to performing on stage.

The fact that the audiences today are smart and look for thought-provoking content is changing the world of theatre immensely, she believes. “When one performs a fact-based play, being accurate is necessary so as a director the research never ends.” Further, she says, “Comedy plays, should never be static. Movement on stage makes it appealing to the audience and gives them a chance to predict the next move of the artist which ensures that they too are alert and interested in the play,” she adds.

Playing the role of a maid in the play, the challenge for her was to make sure that the younger team members, who play more important roles in the play, treat her according to her character and not based on the fact that she is their director. This she feels holds true with any new entrant in the lead role in a play.

When: April 9, 8 pm Where: Royal Connaught Boat Club, Bund Garden salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Have you been to a banana concert yet?

Banana Choir, an initiative by the renowned Korean opera singer Kim Jae-Chang aims at creating a better world through music

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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hen 12-year-old Vijay Kaware sings a popular number in the Korean language, he may not understand what the lyrics mean but his command over every note and pronunciation is flawless. He is part of the Banana Choir that put up a concert recently and performed songs in English, Korean, Marathi and Hindi.

The choir group is spearheaded by South Korea-based opera singer Kim Jae-Chan and it introduces children from Pune slums to the magical world of music. The choir gives them an opportunity to present their music all over India and abroad. “When I turned 50, I decided to come to India and spend my remaining life here to

help children become self-reliant,” he says. Initially, he started by gathering a group of children from the slums and established Banana Choir. However, the choir practice turned out to be a mess as the children constantly skipped lessons and behaved mischievously.

But this didn’t affect Kim. He had to scout for talent, convince parents that

his intentions were noble and take care of funding. He taught kids self-love, consideration for others, gratitude and truth before teaching them to sing.

Slowly, the children started picking up. “The biggest reason for their bad behaviour was their lack of selfconfidence. Gradually, even parents began to believe that their children

could live different lives,” he adds.

When asked about the name of the choir Kim says that he had tried to convey his initiative in Hindi and had said ‘Choir banana hai’ and that’s how the name Banana Choir was found.

Their practice sessions are held in Undri every evening, where the children gather to further their passion

of singing. They are all dressed in their uniform, which is an orange and green ensemble, and sing songs in proper synchronization. “Most of us go to Marathi medium school but we can speak English very fluently. I now want to become a singer and want to share my talent with other children,” says Prajakta Vidhate, who has performed in Korea six times.

The kids audition every year and the best ones are prepared for a concert in Korea. Vijay Kaware, who had been there recently recalls, “I liked South Korea so much. Everything was so clean, nice and fun. I loved eating kimchi there.”

Comprising only 12 children at its inception, the choir now has 150 members, ranging from eight-yearolds to 19-year-olds. It was after these kids shared stories and experiences with friends that the choir started getting a better response. They are also provided free pick-up and drop facility, to encourage them to attend the classes daily. The kids are from the slums in Mohammadwadi, Krishnanagar, Upper Kondhwa, Marketyard and Azadnagar. zainab.kantawala @goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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week-long stay with an Indian family and Patrick could not stop admiring the hospitality.

Three generations all living under the same roof, sharing meals and welcoming them even after knowing them only for a few days, is what touched his heart the most. The family, headed by Mayavi the change-maker of the family, was not just welcoming them in the best way possible, but she also represented people who went out of their way to do something to change their lives and help their community simply because they wanted to see change and improve the standard of living and their reality. It was people like these that became the sources of inspiration for the two film-makers.

Better Days, an independent project, is intended to capture at least 12 positive and inspiring stories about people across India.

In collaboration with The Better India, an online platform dedicated to spreading positive and inspiring stories, the project is scheduled across six months and is currently in its last few days of crowd-funding. Both Patrick and Lara are travelling the entire country, not only looking for unsung heroes but also spending

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A film series on

unsung Indian heroes Arriving in Pune in about two weeks to film The Red Brigade, Brazilian filmmakers Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem speak with TGS about their project, why they picked India and what is their biggest challenge time with them before they start the filming process to be able to portray them better.

One of their main aims with the project is to change the association of the word, ‘India’ with ‘misery’. The film is intended to go beyond the stereotypes and explore a country through its culture, people, art and tradition. They also want to give back to India the love that its people showered on them when they visited three years ago and this seemed like just the perfect way to begin. After filming four people and their amazing stories, their bond with the country has only deepened. “Our projects become the best excuse for us to meet some of the most incredible people and be inspired.

We are whole-heartedly enjoying our second trip to India and have not only learned a lot more but have also grown to love the country,” says 27-year-old Lara who has been a film-maker for the

Lara Jacoski during one of the shoots; (Above right) Patrick Belem

past seven years. She is an advertising graduate and has lived in London for three years, embracing the culture, studying cinema and making films for NGOs, artists and art events.

While the challenges along the way have not made it an easy journey, they assure us that it will all be worthwhile in the end. Living in a culture that is so different from theirs was their biggest challenge when they started off. Finding the balance and divide between work and their personal time when on this journey as well as factoring the aspect of staying healthy has been quite a task too. Their biggest challenge has, however, been funds.

They don’t have any sponsor covering the expenses of the project. Since the project is entirely independent and is currently being funded by them, they are quite restricted. As the project widens, so will expenses and so they have now resorted to crowd-funding for the project and the response has been great so far. “We have made innumerable collaborations and formed lasting bonds with the people in India and we would not want to stop or limit ourselves. The more funds we are able to raise the more experiences and people we will be able to film, which means that there will be many more inspiring stories to share,” Patrick tells

us. He is a journalism graduate and has been making films for about seven years now. He is also a photographer, a musician and making documentaries is his passion. He believes that the videos are a powerful tool to raise awareness.

Lara and Patrick have been partners for about three-and-a-half years now. They have already been to Bolivia, Peru, Thailand and Morocco with their projects. It was during an expedition to Morocco that both of them attended an art residency, producing project in collaboration with international and local artists, and began working together. They also visited India where they spent two months documenting the environment and the life on the Indian streets.

They travelled to more than 20 cities and villages, visiting local places and walking through the streets in order to understand the culture. The result of this experience was the independent documentary Everyday India. Once they got back to Brazil in 2013, Bem-te-vi, their production company was established as an independent company working with Brazilian and international artists and their causes.

There has been no looking back ever since.

Donate to their project: http:// milaap.org/campaigns/betterdays salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

I would love to make Farah Khan-genre of films

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

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or a director to stay away from the industry for a long time can be seriously tricky, but for Meghna Gulzar the seven-year sabbatical has more than paid off. She does not seem to be basking in its glory because, she says, despite being a financial success it hasn’t been able to fetch any substantial results in terms of justice.

Known for her distinct choice of cinema or rather ‘weird’ as she herself terms them, Meghna says when she made Filhal in 2002, the storyline was way ahead of its time – one of the reasons why most audiences did not find a connect with the work. “A lot of people tell me that had I made that film now, chances of it being accepted would have been much higher. But, to pacify myself, I would say that it’s better to be ahead of the times than be outdated and lagging behind,” she points out. She took a sabbatical from films to be with her young son who needed her more at the time.

When she decided to make Talvar, Meghna says that it was quite a frenzied schedule. Talking about her style of work, she says that while filming, it is very difficult for her to switch off until she reaches the desired quantum of work done. “So while making Talvar, we would shoot about four

In town recently for a screening of her National-award winning film Talvar, writer-director Meghna Gulzar tells TGS that she found it hard to believe that her film was a box office hit scenes a day, which is unheard of. I was really scared all through its making as it was not just any other film. The burden of responsibility was quite huge in a film like this. Here, I was making a film on a case that is real and recent, not on something that happened 30 years ago. It’s very fresh in people’s minds. People who have been convicted are still alive and those who have investigated the case are still around. There was a very fine line between being derogative and critical. Also, here I am not making the film alone, there are many departments involved. One miss and the entire tone of what you want to show can change.

These responsibilities scared me a bit,” she smiles.

Having been critical of her own work and living in self-doubt ever since she became a director, it took Meghna a while to believe when people told her that Talvar was doing really well.

She may belong to a not-so-commercial genre of filmmaking, but when it comes to picking a female director who she really admires, Farah Khan’s name comes up. Surprising as it may sound, she says that if given a chance, she would like to make the kind of films Farah does. “She is one director who has completely busted the myth that a female directed can only make women-centric films. Not just that, she has made commercial films that have men taking centre stage and has been very successful at it.”

Although she loves all the films made by her father, but she feels that Khushboo (1975) that starred Jeetendra and Hema Malini portrays the strongest female character she has ever come across. Despite closely studying his work, Meghna has never thought about remaking any of the films. “When some things are deemed as classics, you should not trivialise them by updating them, simply because there is a charm in their timelessness and the time they were made. They should remain classics.”

Meghna also says that she doesn’t want to be tagged as a filmmaker who only makes serious films. “I would love to make light-hearted films, for that matter any genre wherein the script seems exciting.” heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

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Watch the first Marathi web-chat show

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FEATURES

To the city’s theatre lovers, Amey Wagh, Nipun Dharmadhikari and Sarang Sathaye are familiar names. They now get together to start their own super hilarious, candid web-chat show

“When we were making this one thing that was on our mind was that it had to be worth people’s time and mobile data.”

— AMEY WAGH

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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aking inspiration from their college life and everything that they did back then, they went from flirting with their seniors to actresses. Owing to rampant censorship on television shows, the idea of having a web-based chat show seemed much more viable and gave them the freedom to do what they felt was right. Right from planning the content to, acting in it, both Amey Wagh and Nipun Dharmadhikari have had an amazing time shooting the first episode. The process only gets easier when the director’s hat is worn by their friend Sarang Sathaye.

Shutter, which is Amrut Satavalekar’s first short film as a director has made its way to the Cannes Short Film Corner and he could not be happier about it

The show is called Casting Couch with Amey and Nipun and is far from what you would expect it to be. Getting a tad bit personal, making you smile with their awkward, yet witty humour, along with taking a dig at certain issues like that of that casting couch, this chat show which launched its first episode on April 5 is definitely a must watch. Anusha Nandakumar, Sandeep Kulkarni and Paula MCGlynn, director of Gulbadan Talkies, are the producers of the show and Radhika Apte was the guest on the first episode that was released via the channel Bhartiya Digital Party.

Working in the industry for a few years now, all three of them have enough experience

to know what will work and what won’t. What did pose as a challenge however was venturing into a format that was never tried before. “When we started off, we had absolutely no idea about this market. All we knew is that we wanted to do something different and that a web-chat show with regional content was missing,” Sarang shares. The show is somewhere in between a reality and fiction show. Nipun and Amey are being their charming selves and the first episode was a delight to watch. The simple and yet classy set adds to its charm too.

We asked Amey why he decided to venture into something like this and he says that the main reason would be the format. It is neither an

interview nor a chat show. While the first episode is just about 10 minutes long, the rest of the episodes may be longer. “When we were making this the one thing that was constantly on our mind was that it had to be worth people’s time and mobile data. As far as, behind the scenes, are considered acting was a cake-walk and it almost felt like we were back in college,” says Amey.

Apart from doing something out of the box, the team is looking at putting across the idea that the youth of today is looking for entertainment that is different and one that is willing to break the wall of mundane daily soap content. “We are not against daily soaps one bit. We are only hoping that along with it there is some sort of different content that should be put forth for the benefit of the audience that is looking for something meaningful, yet entertaining,” adds Sarang.

Log onto: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Q glmzUb2TWM&nohtml5=False salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

‘Art cannot be segmented’

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n amateur photographer, who thinks he knows a lot, takes you on a 35 minute journey full of surprises and challenges that he faces along the way in the film Shutter. Shot on a digital camera, over nine days, the sets have been kept as realistic as possible and this gives the scenes a raw appeal and makes them a delight to watch. His first short film as a director, the experience has been great and he hopes that this is just the beginning. Over a quick and candid conversation about his film and the excitement of it being selected for the Cannes Short Film Corner, director Amrut Satavalekar shares his challenges, how he casted for the characters and about his entry into the film industry.

Hoping to make the film as

A still from the film Shutter ; (Above right) Amrut Satavalekar the director

realistic and appealing as possible, he did not hold full-fledged auditions and instead auditioned only those who others suggested would suit the role. The inspiration for this story came to him about five years

ago. He did not do anything about it then and it was only recently that he revisited the idea when he was trying to work on some individual projects.

“Our community as a whole has a mentality of segmentation no matter

what it is regarding. Art cannot be segmented. Nothing can be written off as good or bad, as everyone has a different perspective,” says Amrut.

Back in his college days he has not only been an actor and director for plays but was also the writer and light operator when the need arised.

It all started with him being curious about cinematography and from there on he went onto play several roles like that of the Director of Photography among others. Ask him what is the one

thing that as a director he hopes to bring across in every film and after a lot of thought he says, “Be it any work of art, I feel that relationships are the most important. It doesn’t have to be between a boy and a girl but even the relations or bonds formed among strangers are a lot of value when you want to tell the story well.” It is these small details that truly flush out the story and get the required emotions out in the limited time, he adds.

Amrut and his team are extremely excited about the selection to the Cannes Short Film Corner and he hopes that this opens new doors. He tells us that it is a great platform to interact with people from the industry along with international artists and get your future plans in place too. He is currently working on two more scripts but they are both in their initial stages and so he isn’t even sure of it’s format, duration, or even the genre.

Music has no language

TGS LIFE

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

This Saturday, enjoy an unparalleled party experience with a performance by the super talented Charmaine Lobo

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Spin it up with Kerano One of the fastest rising names in the global dance music scenario, DJ Kerano is gathering international acclaim with his achievements. Get ready as he comes to Pune for the hottest party in town

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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mong the few Indian progressive house DJs and producers, Kerano has always been in the news for his music and innovative sounds. He has now become the first Indian artist to reach Beatport Number 1, beating international artists like Axwell, Don Diablo, and Thomas Gold to earn the first spot. After having collaborated with Polish DJ Tom Swoon for the single Here I Stand, which won him international recognition, Kerano has yet again displayed his excellent production skills with Breathing. “I feel on top of the world. I have always believed in setting our own standards. We need to stop using the West as a standard and do our own thing instead, have our own market and take that music globally,” he says.

The song is the result of a collaboration between Kerano and the Dutch duo, Magnificence. For him Breathing means that music brings people together and that there are no boundaries in culture or religion. “The song is backed by strong vocals. The music we have given is very melodious and organic in nature, which is then blended with the sounds of a xylophone,” says Kerano.

Born and raised in a musicallyinclined family, Kerano always knew he would grow up to be a musician.

He learned the drums at 4, started writing songs when he was 14 and finally hit the studio in college where he was introduced to the world of dance music. His passion behind the console is reflected in his powerful sets filled with heavy sounds and mash ups. But it was not a smooth sail for him. “Initially, I faced a lot of rejection. I have sent

mails to thousands of artists and producers, sent my work, knocked on many doors, but never got any reply. I never gave up though,” he adds.

After his debut track with Tom Swoon, there has been no looking back for him. He is now signed with MusicAllStars publishing and has upcoming collaborations with Magnificence and another Dutch artist. He is also working on another track, United, which will be a mix of heavy music with Indian influences. The song will be released on April 25. “I believe, if music producers and DJs take up more collaborations, the popularity of electronic dance music, which is only expanding, can be taken to the next level in the country,” he adds.

When: April 16, 9 pm onwards Where: Euriska, Koregaon Park zainab.kantawala @goldensparrow.com

oung and full of life, Charmaine Lobo has been gathering fame at a slow but steady pace over the years. The husky-voiced singer brings a different kind of depth into her music as well as her interpretation of already existing tracks. The powerhouse of talent is set to take on the stage this Saturday with her originals and some popular numbers from the 90s. She will present an acoustic rendition of the songs that are sure to mesmerise the audience.

Singer, composer and songwriter, Charmaine’s songs depict deep and complex emotions and blends them perfectly with her powerful and pleasing vocals.

“I want to take my audience to an entirely different space where they go back in time and feel the emotion they felt then. I write on the emotions that all of us go through at some point of time and anything that touches my heart,” she adds.

Music is the only language that she knows and can communicate in this is why she can effortlessly sing in many languages like English, Hindi, French, Spanish, Arabic, even Farsi. “I love learning new languages, and as a singer, I want to explore as many languages as possible. We usually try to convey a particular emotion through a song, once I understand that, I work on the pronunciation,” says

Charmaine.

Born in a musically-inclined family, she grew up amidst a multitude of cultures. Being a gogetter, she has been chasing her dreams from a young age. She found inspiration in pop music and now she is an artist who is in a league of her own. “I stepped into the world of music when I was eight years old.

My father, who was also a musician, was my earliest inspiration. I grew up listening to all genres of music, and so it came naturally to me,” she says. For her, music is not just a form of expression; it is the state in which she lives, the air that she breathes and the reason why she exists.

She was recently invited to be guest of the French Consulate and has performed at the Francophone concert along with singers from around the world. She has also performed at the open stage concert of the Pop Idol in London. “It has been an amazing journey for me so far. The biggest challenge is to sing songs in different languages, knowing that the audience won’t know the meaning of the lyrics but they have always loved my songs and this proves that music has no language,” she says. She is now working on some new compositions and plans to release an album soon.

When: April 9, 9 pm onwards Where: The Beer Cafe, Koregaon Park

TGS LIFE

DEDICATED TO DOUBLE ROTI

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

Starting its gourmet journey from Gurgaon then travelling to find success in Chennai, this bread lover’s den reaches Pune in a bigger, quirkier and tastier avatar

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

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o open a joint in a locality like Viman Nagar that’s already bustling with restaurants of every size and shape and offering grub for every taste bud, definitely needs some serious thinking. But this brand new restaurant called Double Roti, that opened its doors to the always-hungry-for good-food crowd of Pune just a month ago, has hit the nail right.

The name itself suggests what you can look forward to eating here but the vast menu will quite literally leave you puzzled for choices. Let’s start by talking about the restaurant’s look first. Highlighting kitsch is not something that we haven’t seen in the city before, yet Double Roti manages to impress you with its eccentric exteriors which include multi-coloured hanging whisks and steel graters which you will find in the kitchens of any household. The vibrant custom-made high seating tables look like moving carts with

wheels. The truck-shaped napkin and cutlery stand and coasters with funky emoticons and messages add to the quirky quotient. “The look and feel of our restaurant has a lot to do with our own personalities. We wanted to use elements of everyday life in Double Roti, hence the name and the entire styling. We have worked towards building a big openair space and a cosy indoor setting at this outlet, which offers a lot of room to our guests who want to come in bigger groups,” says Japtej Ahluwalia, co-owner of the restaurant.

The dishes on the menu may not be unique but they do rank big on variety and taste. The place is known for its gourmet sandwiches, hotdogs and burgers, but this joint has introduced pizzas, finger foods and a bar as their new additions.

From freshly squeezed juices like lemongrass lemonade, they serve Madras Filter Kaapi in both hot and cold avatars. There are endless cafes that serve Oreo Shakes, but the one that you get here is not only massive in its portion but tastes totally sinful.

Among the starters, they have Mausi’s Thetcha Chilli Potatoes to nibble on while you await the main course.

The burgers, which the menu calls Angrezan Di Double Roti, come in large portions and have the right amount of filling with interesting saucy twists. We especially liked Area 69, a succulent beef burger with caramalised onions, cheese, steak sauce and fried eggs. The Potato Popper Panini Sandwich is slightly high on tanginess, but if you’re someone who loves sauces, this is the right vegetarian pick. Pizza being an Italian dish, they have named each one of them after famous films from its origin, such as The Sicilian Girl, Bugsy, Scarface and so on.

The crockery needs a special mention too as it definitely adds to the entire experience. As much as you would like the flavours of certain dishes, you would be delighted to see the way they are served too. The pizzas, for example, come

on a wooden chapatti board, or chakla. The drinks are served in army mugs, plant pots and milk bottles. Instead of side plates, they give lids of baking tins and burgers and sandwiches come wrapped in papers on a steel platter. “With so much to

eat and look forward to, one would naturally think that all this must come at a cost, but that’s the USP the co-owner Nikesh Lamba and I wanted to attach to our brand. Of serving a hefty meal which includes a drink, starter and the main course, all under Rs 500,” adds Japtej.

Make sure you build your appetite before you head to Double Roti! heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

ADVERTORIAL

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VALENCIAN MARINADE FOR FISH AND PRAWN Ingredients Olive oil 26 Gm Whoster shire sauce 20 Gm Shrimp pwd 15 Gm Saffron (dissolved in 1tbsp water) 0.0016 Gm Red Chilly paste 30 Gm Lemon Juice 10 Gm Salt 04 Gm Golder Fried Onion (Paste) 60 Gm Fried Garlic 25 Gm Parsley Chopped

10 Gm Prawn and Fish 600 Gm Method: Very friendly to prepare. First have to check prawn been devein or not , if not then need to devein before marinate. second In a mixing bowl mix ingredients all together mix well then finally add refined oil , put it aside for 10 min in room temp to soak seasoning well .Preferred way of cooking — we can roast or bake as per the availability of cooking equipment, preferable way of cooking would be grilling and enjoy delicious prawns..

Preparation Time: 45 Mins Cooking time: 15 Mins Serves: 6 Portions

BAHMAS BRAZIL CILENTRO CHICKEN Ingredients Fresh Coriander 80 Gm Green Chilly 06 Gm Hung Curd 40 Gm Ginger Chopped 06 Gm Garlic Chopped 08 Gm Jalapeno Chopped 16 Gm Thymes Chopped 10 Gm Olive oil 19 Gm Water 15 Gm Chicken Boneless 800 Gm Method: So simple to prepare.

First have to cut chicken into dices

cutting ( 45gm-50gm). second Mix ingredients all together blend to a fine paste marinate chicken, then finally add refined oil , put it aside for 30 min in room temp to soak seasoning well .Preferred way of cooking — we can roast or bake as per the availability of cooking equipment ,preferable way of cooking would be grilling and enjoy delicious Bahmas Brazil Cilentro chicken... Cooking temp-190*C Preparation Time: 70 Mins Cooking time: 20 Mins Serves: 6 Portions

AMBULTHIYAL MARINATION OR PASTE FOR SEA BASS Ingredients Kokum 50 Gm Chopped Ginger 20 Gm Chopped Garlic 20 Gm Roast Chilly pwd 6 Gm Roast Curry pwd 6 Gm Coconut milk pwd 8 Gm Curry leaves 2 Gm Crushed black pepper 6 Gm Coconut oil 30 Gm Turmeric pwd 1 Gm Cardamom pwd 1 Gm Cinamonpwd 1 Gm Cloves 6 Gm Salt 9 Gm Vinegar 36 Gm Jeera pwd 1 Gm Coriander pwd 2.5 Gm Fish ( Seabaass) 450 Gm Method: Mix and Roast all the powders masalas keep it separately. In oil fry garlic, ginger, curry leaves, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.mix all the remaining ingredients together along with kokum and blend to fine paste. Adding water and roasted powders, Marinade the fish in the above paste and grill till done.

Preparation Time: 60 Mins Cooking time: 20 Mins Serves: 6 Portions — Recipes by Barbeque Nation

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“Ageing is a non-stop process but you have to work hard to get the perfect body and flawless skin” - YOGITA KULKARNI

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

W

hen wrinkles creep up, dark circles halo around the eye and those extra kilograms refuse to budge, most of us take it as a sign from nature and learn to accept the changed reflection in the mirror. These ladies are in no mood to let nature have an upper hand though. Through hard work and dedication, these moms have chiselled out a gorgeous physique, the kind that nips-n-tucks endorsing celebrities flaunt on front pages of tabloids. TGS catches up with some drool-worthy moms from the city who’ve made living a healthier life their mantra.

WHAT KEEPS THEM GROOV Y? Picture this: a glowing face, nipped-in waist, toned arms, and a sense of happiness in her eyes. This accurately describes 42-year old Shabnam Bhojwani, mother to daughters aged 20 and 15. Not only does she have her own jewellery line, but she is also a freelance visual designer and a trained art therapist. Plus, she even makes sure to find time in her busy schedule to teach slum children. “Being happy is my mantra to looking good and doing everything that I am passionate about is my key to staying happy. Most women, on finding out my true age, seem eager to know how I am able to take care of myself so well and this puts all my hard work into perspective,” she says. Walking as much as she can, never missing out on her workouts, swimming and trekking on weekends allows her to stay fit. Shabnam also believes that eating right is important and so she eats healthy food and drinks lots of water, she tells us.

Farida Hundekari , another mom who is 40, agrees with Shabnam and swears by the fact that eating right and feeling right is the key to good health. With her clear skin, enviable figure and thick, dark hair, she looks every inch as stunning as any B-town celebrity. Some compare her to Kareena Kapoor and some to Aishwarya Rai, but she is definitely the mother who has turned back years. While she might look like she is in her 20s, Farida is mom to a 17-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. “We are all healthy eaters and fried stuff is completely restricted at our home. We don’t even remember the last time we saw a pizza,” she smiles. She strictly follows the early to bed and early to rise adage. Farida religiously goes for long walks, visits the gym and does yoga as well. She manages all of this as well as an IT company, where she holds the director’s position.

54-year-old Nita Parekh too has made fitness a part of her everyday routine. Often mistaken as her daughter’s elder sister, this svelte lady is a grandmom too. “Earlier, I definitely didn’t look after myself as well as I do today. Alternating between yoga and

WHO’S YO

MOMMY

Dads take a backseat. These pretty mommas are tak sometimes even looking younger than their daught hard to possess a flawless body and they aren’t in th from the limelight. Go mums!

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

APRIL 9, 2016

exercising, being a housewife, my daily chores did a good job of keeping me on my toes,” says Nita. She turns housework into a workout session and promises us that it helps her burn calories quite efficiently.

For Yogita Kulkarni, an image consultant and mother to two beautiful daughters, living life king-size is her mantra. “Ageing is a nonstop process but you have to work hard to get the perfect body and flawless skin. Whatever the situation, I never miss out on going to the gym,” says the 42-year-old. On the contrary, Gunjan Malhotra, attributes her fit and slim body to her pet dog. The 39-year-old spends a lot of time with her pet, taking him to the garden and on treks. Her daily food log includes green tea, a lot of vegetable juices and a low carb diet. She even does yoga whenever she gets the time.

Trishala and Yogita Kulkarni

WHEN INSPIRATION KNOCKED ON THE DOOR An adventurous person at heart, Gunjan always participates in outdoor activities along with her daughter. Her secret to being energetic and full of life is the love and appreciation she receives from her family. Women who are loved by their family tend to look beautiful and the happiness shows on their face, she believes.

Nita too credits her good health and wellgroomed self to her daughter Parinita, who has inspired her to look the way she does today. “My daughter is the reason behind everything good that happens to me. She keeps me updated on the latest trends and also takes care of what suits me and what doesn’t. We shop together, go on outings and she has always been my partner in crime,” she laughs fondly.

On the other hand, Yogita was inspired towards the fitness path by her social circle. She had to work hard to achieve her target and look the way she wanted to. “I was not born fit. After the birth of my second daughter, I had gained a lot of weight. I have practically gone against my genetics, to become what I am now,” she says.

After losing 36 kgs over five years, she is not only

Gunjan Malhotra and Chahek

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king centre stage, ters. They’ve worked he mood to shy away

Farida and Fatema Hundekari

happier now but knows for a fact that even her family is proud of the effort that she has put in.

A nutrition and fitness page on Facebook called ‘Squats group’ motivated Farida towards a healthy lifestyle.

Through the page, she learned the nutritional values of different vegetables and followed the tips people shared.

It helped her understand what should be eaten and when. Everyone in her family begins their day with a juice that includes spinach, cucumber, beetroot and an apple rather than a regular cup of tea. Her diet includes fish, chicken, butter, ghee and things that are rich in fats and protein. It is a great feeling when people mistake her to be a 20-something and this is a regular feature for her. She - FARIDA HUNDEKARI loves the compliments that often come her way.

“Just a few weeks ago, at the gym, a boy approached me and asked me out. I simply smiled at him and walked away. ”

THE BEAUTIFUL BOND The mother-daughter relationship is said to be one of the strongest and most complex bonds in the world. There is a little bit of laughter, some crying, unending fights, and immense drama. But above all of this, the friendly bond that binds the relationship together is undying and forever strong. Fatema, Farida’s daughter would initially get irritated when people confused her mother to be her elder sister.

Over time, she not only got used to it but also saw its benefits. She tells us, “I feel happy now as we do share a sisterly bond. My friends are more comfortable sharing things and gossiping with my mother then they do with their own parents. I could not be more proud of her.”

Shabnam’s daughter Arshia too has become accustomed to the fact that she has a mother who looks to be her sister’s age. “When I was a lot younger

Parinita with Nita Parekh

Arshia, Shabnam and Drishti Bhojwani

I wondered if I looked that old but I actually think it’s cool that I have a mom who looks young and pretty. She is known to be a cool mom among all my friends because of her tattoos and casual approach and I have never been more comfortable having a conversation with her on even the most uncomfortable subjects,” says Arshia. Recollecting an incident, Shabnam adds that once when she has been to her daughter’s college to complete her admission procedures, the principal had asked her to call her mother in and this turned into a moment that was equally embarrassing and confidence-inducing.

MOMENTS TO REMEMBER These mothers sure know how to have some fun. Sharing memories that she will always cherish, Yogita recalls, “Once when my husband’s friends had come over to our house, one of them had asked him if he had three daughters. It was a bit embarrassing for him but for me that was a compliment.” In another recent incident, when she had gone to arrange her daughter’s hostel room, her friends mistook her to be her daughter’s elder sister. While this vexed her daughter a bit, Yogita had a big smile on her face.

Right from guys flirting with her, people turning heads at the mall whenever she goes shopping with her daughter, to getting a lot of attention on the social media, Farida is truly enjoying every moment. “Just a few weeks ago, at the gym, a boy approached me and asked me out. I simply smiled at him and walked away.

A week later when he realised who I was and that I had a daughter his age, he was extremely embarrassed,” she laughs.

The slender mums, at some point or another, have been mistaken as their children’s siblings and while it does get awkward more than often it only brings on a huge smile. They have all worked on the physique and looks and vouch that staying fit has only done them a lot of good. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Mahindra NuvoSport compact SUV launched T he new NuvoSport joins Mahindra’s compact SUV club, which includes the recent TUV300 and the hatchback-sized KUV100, which shouldn’t really be called an SUV at all. The NuvoSport is an upgraded version of Quanto (effectively replacing it) and is based on same platform as new-generation Scorpio.

It runs the 1.5L mHawk100 diesel engine with a two-stage turbocharger delivering an output of 100hp and 240 nm of torque, claimed to be best-inclass. A 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) is available apart from a standard 5-speed manual.

Compared to the Quanto, the front fascia of the NuvoSport is where all the action is, with a new front grille and DRLs. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels, side cladding and a rear spoiler are also available. Come around to the rear and it’s still essentially the Quanto, but the overall package is more pleasing than the ready-to-tipover box of the Quanto.

The NuvoSport, as is custom with recent Mahindras, carries a wide range of

features that include 16.2” Touchscreen Infotainment System, ECO/Power Mode, Micro Hybrid Technology, Cruise Control, Driver Information System, Intellipark Reverse Assist, AC ECO Mode.

In addition, there are a lot of safety features of which some are optional for the base variant, but are standard from the mid variant onward. Dual airbags and ABS with EBD (available as optional from base variant, standard from mid variant) are present, apart from side intrusion beams, front fog lamps, speed sensing auto door locks, seat belts with height adjusters and an anti-theft digital immobilizer with encrypted key recognition system for additional security.

The NuvoSport is available in six variants N4, N6 & N8 (N6 & N8 are available with optional AMT versions).

It is available in six colours — Molten Red, Rust Orange, Diamond White, Regal Blue, Mist Silver and Fiery Black.

The NuvoSport is priced from Rs 7.35 lac onward (ex-showroom, Thane)

Tata Tiago starts at Rs 3.20 lac Triumph Bonneville T

he Tata Tiago, formerly known as Tata Zica has finally made it onto Indian roads. The Tiago is available in both petrol and diesel variants — as we reported earlier, the new Revotron 1.2l petrol engine delivers 84 bhp, 115 Nm of torque and an fuel efficiency of 23.84 km/l,while the Revotroq 1.05l diesel engine produces 69 bhp, 140 Nm of torque and delivers a fuel efficiency of 27.28 km/l.

Both engines are mated to five-speed manual transmissions.

The Tiago allows two drive modes— city and eco, supported by the Engine Management System (EMS). This is a huge deal for the segment the Tiago plays in. Smartly designed, with features that occasionally look borrowed from the competition, the Tiago looks well put-together and is an un-fussy, coherent design.

Tata is not skimping with features in the Tiago. Safety features include dual front airbags, 9th-generation ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), corner stability control, and a rear parking sensor with

information displayed on the infotainment system screen. The infotainment system is designed by HARMAN with in-built turnby-turn navigation and apps, again a step up from the generic OEM units we’ve seen recently.

The Tata Tiago is available in five variants— XB, XE, XM, XT & XZ and comes in six colours— Striker Blue, Berry Red, Sunburst Orange, Espresso Brown, Pearlescent White and Platinum Silver. Prices start at Rs 3.20 lac ex-showroom, New Delhi, which should certainly give pause to the competition. The top diesel variant comes in at Rs 5.54 lac ex-showroom, so there’s certainly something for everybody in the range.

Tata provides a 2-year/75,000 km warranty standard, with an extended warranty program: 2 years + 1 year (3rd year extended warranty up to 75,000km) or 2 years + 2 years (3rd and 4th year extended warranty up to 1,00,000 kms). Tata has also launched a servicing app called “Service Connect” with free pick-up and drop conveniences.

T120 bookings open

B

ookings for Triumph’s “modern classic” Bonneville T120 have begun in Delhi. The Bonneville models have been teased since last year and were showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016. The T120 runs on a 1200cc liquid-cooled, 8 valve, parallel twin engine mated to a six-speed transmission. The engine generates 79 bhp and 105 Nm of torque. Triumph has made much of the meaty torque figures the new twins put out, favouring grunt against horsepower numbers.

The new Bonnie gets the larger displacement engine, up from the Street Twin’s 900cc.

Unlike the previous-generation Bonnevilles, the new models are thoroughly upto-date, while retaining the classic visage. ABS, ride-by-wire, traction control, two rider modes— ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’, slip clutch assist, LED DRL in the headlight, LED rear light, heated grips, USB charge socket, engine immobiliser, and a comprehensive twin clock console are present.

Additional accessories can be added, accessible via the clock display, including cruise control.

You can barely tell that the new engine is liquid cooled, with the radiator cleverly tucked away between the frame downtubes and the cat-con hidden away without disturbing the classic exhaust routing.

The T120 is available in four colours— cranberry red and aluminium silver with handpainted coach lines, jet black and pure white with hand-painted coach lines, jet black and cinder red. The T120 is priced at Rs 8.70 lac.

In addition, Triumph has created the ‘Prestige inspiration kit’ for accessories. The kit includes a chrome ‘4-bar’ tank badge, ribbed and stitched black seat, compact LED indicators, chrome Vance & Hines peashooter slip on silencers, black ‘Barrel style’ handlebar grips, chrome clutch cover, alternator cover and throttle body embellishers.

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VISHAL KALE

FEATURES

VINTAGE BEAUTIES TAKE ON PUNE STREETS C ar connoisseurs of the city were in for a treat last weekend as hundreds of vintage cars flocked to Kharadi’s Radisson Blu Hotel for the annual rally organised by Vintage Car Club of India.

More than 100 rare cars and motorcycles participated in the rally covering the distance of more than 25,000 km. The main attraction was the Hudson 1933 owned by Nitin Dossa, which is the only surviving car in the world.

Sable Brothers participated with five cars and veteran Zaheer Vakil was seen in his Buick 1947. Another car that got all the attention was the Lincoln 1960 that was earlier used by Pope Paul during his visit to India and now owned by Ramesh Thakkar. Subhash Sanas too joined the rally with his 10 cars.

They were judged in three categories, Vintage, Classics and Modern Classics.

Beating many strong contenders in their

categories, the cars that emerged the winners was a 1908 Wolseley owned by Abbas Jasdanwalla which won the Best Vintage Car, the 1949 Chevrolet Deluxe Convertible owned

by Viveck Goenka which won the Best Maintained Classic Car and the 1933 Rolls Royce once owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur and presently owned by Amir Jetha won Best Maintained Vintage Car. The two cars which were honoured with the Concourse de Elegance was the 1908 Wolseley in Vintage category while Yohan Poonawalla’s 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud won in Classic Car category.

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FEATURES

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

S

he began writing at the age of seven but perhaps just to entertain herself. Today, after writing four books, she could not think of anything else that she was more suited to do. Hailing from a family of avid readers, writing only seemed to be the next step for her and not having a television set or the internet at home simply made the task easier. Varsha Seshan’s most recent book Dragonflies, Jigsaws and a Rainbow has been nominated for the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2016 and she is super thrilled about it. Since there are only two Indians on the list, the nomination holds a special place in her heart.

The book is a collection of short stories for children. It’s an unpublished manuscript with stories that are extremely different from one another. The tales are set in an urban and rural setting and belong to the fantasy genre. Characters range from a colour-blind girl, an army child to a retired school teacher. It has been written over the course of several years and each story has been inspired by something different. Her visit to a village called Perani inspired the story on dragonflies, her own love for jigsaw puzzles made her write another story, and the rainbow story was pure imagination. The name of the book itself is intended to suggest

OF DRAGONFLIES, JIGSAWS AND RAINBOWS Pune-based Varsha Seshan is among the top five authors selected for the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2016 that represents 11 countries across the world a variety of tales, she tells us.

From a very young age, her parents encouraged Varsha to write.

“Whenever I was bored, my mother would tell me to go write a story.

We were the only family I knew that bought so many children’s newspapers. I sent stories each time any of these papers held a writing

competition,” recollects Varsha. Her first book, The Story-Catcher, was a collection of stories for children published by Leadstart. Just last year, she began to work in association with the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, to create adventure stories based on trains for children. It has been an exciting project for her and

has taught her a lot. She absolutely loved the idea of writing fiction for children that explores the history and working of the Indian Railways and so she immediately took on the project. The Duronto Adventure is a book for elders and Bholu At The Level Crossing is aimed at younger readers. Both books are currently

displayed at the National Rail Museum and will soon be available for purchase.

“The joy of creating, the feeling of making something out of nothing, and the fact that inspiration can come from the smallest things, add to my love for books and writing them.

All these things make me feel alive and, of course, working on my own terms, being independent and not having to go to an office and work by set schedules, makes me love what I do even more,” she says when asked why she loved being an author. The fact that she is involved with multiple projects at the same time keeps her away from having a writer’s block.

Discipline she feels is the most important and so she attempts to write whether or not she feels like it.

Sometimes, she immediately deletes what she has written and at other times, keeps it only to revisit it later.

Varsha absolutely loves stories about magic and animals and appreciates anything that can make a world come alive for her. While it was difficult for her to pick one favourite author, after a lot of thought she settled on JK Rowling, Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo and quickly added that there were many more. When she isn’t spending her time writing, she is busy dancing as she has for the last 20 years. She is a trained Bharatanatayam dancer under her guru Mythili Raghavan and is a part of the dance troupe at the Academy of Indian Dances. She also conducts reading and writing workshops for children through the British Council and independently as well. Her main aim is to inculcate the habit of reading among youngsters and attempt to get children to write creatively. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Stories for the corporate world

Meghdoot Karnik’s debut book Dronacharya at the Workplace relates conflicts at the workplace to incidents from the

By Zainab Kantawala Mahabharata @kantawalazainab

D

o you have a Dronacharya around you at the workplace? Or do you know someone in your office who resembles the character of Abhimanyu?

If yes, then the book Dronacharya at the Workplace, by corporate trainer Meghdoot Karnik is just for you. The book is a collection of short stories that integrates events at the workplace with the Mahabharata.

Each short story has a protagonist who faces a dilemma at work. The stories relate to the conflicts at the workplace and derive incidents from the Mahabharata to seek solutions. “I was clear about what I was going to write but the format took time to evolve. I wanted it to be a management book written in a fictional style. So I took up the challenge of integrating the storyline with Mahabharata,” says Meghdoot. The other challenge he faced was dealing with corporate

situations and giving a seamless transition between work and life.

Being a trainer, during various personal conversations with friends and juniors, Meghdoot has been using Mahabharata as a reference point to discuss personal and corporate problems. To him, the book is just an extension of his career in print. “A few years ago, I had written a textbook called Rejected. I gave the book to my friend to read, and he encouraged me to take up writing.

Having been fascinated by the Mahabharata

since childhood and the complexity and greyness of its characters, I decided to weave my experience of 20 years with mythology and come up with a book,” he says.

Like every author, he faced writers’ block on many occasions. The balance between working, spending time with family and writing had to be maintained too. But he managed it all efficiently. “I have had a flow of thoughts when I had no access to a pen and computer and captured them from memory later. There would be instances, where creative thoughts would flow, and my four year old son would want me to play with me,” he shares.

He has used the actions of Abhimanyu, Dronacharya, Bhishma, Yudhishthir, Duryodhana, Karna and Kunti in this book.

He has tried to go beyond the obvious plot and into the minds of the characters to bring out their thought process while taking the decisions they did. “Universally, Duryodhana is painted as the villain but in the book he is a virtuous character. Most situations in the corporate world are generic and anybody who has a 10-year or more journey, would be able to identify with the same,” he says. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

RISING ABOVE THE STRUGGLE

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

A

s the sky outside gets dark, Hanmant Shinde turns into an artist. Past midnight, he is seen quietly absorbed in sketching his inner world. He is so engrossed in the art that he will barely even lift up his head.

But when he senses even the slightest bit of danger around he immediately snaps out of his artistic mode and is as vigilant and alert as one could be.

Having completed a basic course in fine arts, Hanmant took up the job of a security guard at Ratna Hospital five years ago to make the ends meet. He paints whenever he is off-duty, on a holiday or when he is on night shift. “There is no scope for an artist who doesn’t have rich parents or benefactors. This job was the only way for me to survive and earn a decent living,” he says.

Living in the congested area of Bopodi, a section of his house holds his artworks.

His paintings are a result of a culmination of mindful strokes rendered in the present moment. His interest in the Buddhist beliefs too has played a significant role in his art.

“My one stroke paintings are mainly based on Buddhist philosophy and his teachings. I have also explored other subjects like nature, florals,

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

W

hen he was younger, joining the navy was Anand Sadana’s dream.

He studied Nautical Science and was to join the merchant Navy. A few weeks before he was set to sail, something inside him stirred and he realized that this life was not for him.

Anand then he started experimenting with what an authentic life meant, devoid of any kind of mask, which, he confides, is extremely liberating.

Listening to his heart and letting it guide him to do what is right, the 23-year-old has currently ventured into facilitating and life coaching.

His idea is to bring in an element of compassion to one self and everyone else. Working hand in hand with an organization called Initiatives of Change, following a simple Gandhian philosophy – To bring a change in this world, one needs to begin with oneself. Further, he is also working with a few friends in the corporate and education sector on life skills and leadership development through mindfulness. From completing a four month stint in corporate leadership in Chennai to learning a non-violent communication drill in Kerala, apart from participating in drum circles and contact improvisation, there is an array of things that this young man does well.

“My journey in the field of life coaching began about two-and-a-half years ago when I got a chance to really pause in life and see who I am and

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VISHAL KALE

His paintings might not fetch him millions but Hanmant Shinde, a bouncer at a city hospital, ensures he finds time for his passion

human emotions and name-art,” he adds.

Sometimes, he paints psychedelic images based on his imagination or anything that touches his heart. Some of his art showcases bold strokes in acrylic, some realistic impressions, some

abstract exploration and some intense emotions drawn through line and colour. “I was always inclined towards arts and participated in various competitions held in school. After finishing my course in oil painting, I was determined

to become an artist but I never got an opportunity,” he adds.

Even though he has a hectic job schedule and sometimes even has to work double shifts, he still manages to find time for his passion.

“It’s something that drives me. It’s like a stress buster. After work hours, there are many things that play on my mind, art is my medium of put them all on a canvas,” he says. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

He’s helping people explore themselves

For Anand Sadana, it’s all about working with people, irrespective of their age, caste, religion or financial background

Anand Sadana during one of his trips (centre); and one of the activities he conducted during his life coaching workshops (right)

where I stand. While I am still new in this field, there is a lot it has taught me and changed me for the better too,” Anand tells us. Hoping to learn more and create a space for otherd to learn too, he he often travels across the country, setting up base in a particular place for months and conducting workshops. One of his longest travels and also the journey that was dearest to him has been to the North East.

He travelled to Bodoland, Assam,

Meghalaya and Nagaland. It was sheer pleasure to work with the people there, he says, so he keeps going back.

When he isn’t busy travelling, Anand is a football coach through a club called Thunderbudz. He is also part of a learning-andcoaching circle in Pune. Plus, he helps his father who is a life and an emotional intelligence coach. There are two challenges that he has been facing right from the start. One is

sustaining himself financially and the other is resonating with people and seeing things in a similar way.

Ask him where he is headed next and he says, “My end goal in life would be to die knowing that I have done what I was meant to do in this life. I want to work with people and help them explore themselves as well as create the feeling of love and acceptance for each other,” Anand tells us.

Some things that he feels strongly

towards are working in the field of rehabilitation, relationships, youth and old age, he adds.

Anand loves the opportunity to meet new people and listen to their stories. He jokes about forgetting that he has a voice because he could continue to listen to the numerous people that he meets and never get bored for even a minute. Every new situation, every day, every person creates him, he believes. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

SP

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SHOPPING

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By Heen GM @Heena d sk irts an summer tall with r u o y ff how o alk ing sses by w er affordable p floral dre su t lish ye these st y es and stilettos et wedg high stre

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White textured wedges White goes with everything under the sun, literally. Wear these simple and chic wedges with a floral dress or colour block your look with a black and white outfit.

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Red peep toe pumps

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Golden Wedges

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Add a dash of bling to your outfit with these comfy light gold wedges. You can team this up with a georgette matching sari or even create a contrast with a turquoise salwar suit with golden sequins for a sangeet.

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Classic Black wedges A must-have for any wardrobe, these black wedges are comfy and pump up your formal look perfectly. Wear them with skirts or trousers with different shades of tops and shirts.

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Strappy peach wedges This pretty footwear will go well with skirts, palazzos, kurtas, dresses. In fact everything.

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RAHUL RAUT

TGS LIFE

Nothing tastes better than being fit

APRIL 9, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

It’s all in the mind believes badminton player Sanyogita and being fit, she believes, also nurtures healthy thoughts

EXPERT SPEAK

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

Swapnil Vale

F

rom managing to excel in academics and do well in sports, 22-year-old, Sanyogita Ghorpade has shown what strong will power and a determined mind is capable of. She started playing badminton when she was only six-years-old and was then coached by Aba Tawade.

For the last four years, however, she has been training under Pullela Gopichand the chief national coach of the Indian badminton team based in Hyderabad. She dreams of being number one in the sport and pushing her own boundaries with every match.

A graduate in commerce from Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce and currently pursuing her Masters in Commerce from Pune University, Sanyogita knows that her future holds innumerable badminton matches. Her parents, Meenakshi Ghorpade and Ranjitsinh Ghorpade, have supported her game and, more importantly, allowed her to live her dream irrespective of the struggles and pain they had to go through. Don’t judge anybody by their success but rather with the number of times that they have got up after failing – is the motto that she lives by. Nikhil Kanetkar, a fellow badminton player, has also been instrumental in shaping her career simply by being someone, who always practices with her.

Considering that her life revolves around sports, her fitness regime and her workout are the two things that she absolutely cannot do without.

As a professional badminton player everything she does is related to her fitness and game. “I absolutely love keeping myself fit.

So exercising equates to time spent with myself and it also gives me my o w n

Owner Fitness 365 Gym

Your entire routine is great. Here are few suggestions to add to your diet. Start your day with a handful of almonds along with the glass of milk.

For your breakfast you could alternate the oats with an omelette for some variety. You could substitute the chapati’s in your lunch with brown rice. In the evening before gym grab a fruit for the extra energy.

The glass of milk before bedtime can be substituted with a fistful of nuts as well.

Expert rating: 7/10

sweet haven. Nothing tastes better than being fit,” she tells us. Besides badminton, she also likes painting and playing the guitar.

HER FITNESS MANTRA Sanyogita’s fitness mantra includes a minimum of eight hours of sleep, mediation and a smile. Meditation is the doorway to training her mind which is extremely important for any game, she says. It helps her stay confident and keeps the fighting spirit alive irrespective of how tired her body gets. “Your strongest muscle and worst enemy is your mind. Training it well is necessary,” says the young girl.

MY DAILY LOG My day starts at 5:30 am which is when I get ready for my training. I have a glass of milk after waking up to get me through till my fi rst proper meal. I train on the court for about two hours and have a scoop of protein followed by fruits and some span oats at about 8:30 am, which is my fi rst proper meal. My training includes lots of endurance and agility, with minimum breaks in between. After my fi rst meal I take a nap because it is necessary to recover well for the next training session. The next session which is also on the court starts at 10:30 am and

NAME: SANYOGITA GHORPADE Age: 22, Weight: 58 kg, Height: 5.8 lasts till 1 pm. Th is session includes more aggressive training and long lasting drills.

I have lunch at 1:30 pm. I prefer eating more vegetables and boiled or grilled chicken, yogurt and salads. I make sure that I have fewer chapatis and smaller portions of rice. After this, I take a nap once again for an hour or two and get refreshed for the evening session, which starts at 4 pm. Th is workout could be at the gym and consist of a full body workout or might concentrate on gaining strength. Th is is followed

Pastel pallets come to life this summer

T

emperatures are rising, but your style doesn’t need to plummet: Keep it fresh with these hotweather must-haves, say designer duo Megha and Kalpesh.

Tips for women Loose-Fitting Pants: Harem, dhoti, slouchy: No matter what you call them, loose-fitting pants are the pair to have for the warm months ahead.

The Printed Dress: Be it a beautiful bouquet of florals or a digitized ikat, a pattern is this summer’s top option for rocking a feminine frock.

The White Blazer: Take a dramatic approach to outerwear with an all-white blazer. Whether you prefer a structured variation or a looser cut, this time-honored staple is a summer winner.

Pastel palette comes to life in summers: Bubble-gum pink, acid yellow, ice blue, and aquamarine are some of the chicest colors of the season.

Tips for Men Wear Linen: There’s no fabric as synonymous with summer as linen. Embrace Pastel colours, but avoid white on white. Instead opt for shades of stone and cream.

Accessorise Inventively: Wear a floral tie pin it’s an appropriate summer companion.

Choose cooler cargo shorts: To modernize the classic cargo style, opt for a sleeker cut. The fit should be closer to your body for a clean, slim silhouette. As for length, you want the shorts to fall right above your knee.

(As told to Heena Grover Menon)

by training for agility with the help of sprints or jumps for close to 45 minutes. Th is session lasts till about 7 pm and ends with a scoop of protein.

The last meal of my day, which I try to have as early as possible, consists of chicken and rice or fish and a glass of milk before I go to bed.

A good intake of protein per day helps my body be strong and lean.

Water intake is also very important and staying hydrated through the entire day is also a priority. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

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